What festivals and celebrations are approaching….
Ethiopian New Year's Day is on 11th September 2011
The start of the New Year in Ethiopia is recognised because Rastafarians believe Ethiopia to be their spiritual homeland, and a place to which they want to return.
The history of Ethiopia is remembered, and its importance acknowledged through Biblical passages and prayer.
A Nyabingi session is also held to mark the occasion; Nyabingi is the traditional music of the Rastafarian religion which consists of chanting and drumming to reach states of heightened spirituality. The chants contain ideas of black redemption and repatriation with the aim of helping people to participate and feel included in the Rastafarian community.
Nyabingi music consists of a blend of 19th century gospel music and African drumming.
19th century gospel music
The music of early Rastafarians was not specific to their religion alone. Early Rastafarians used music and hymns created by Sankey and Moody, two very influential 19th Century American evangelists who travelled throughout the world. The Rastafarians took such hymn tunes and set them to their own words, usually reflecting the importance of Africa.
African drumming
An early African musical influence was Burru Music. This type of music was sung by African slaves to keep their spirits up whilst working. As the slaves had no religion and the Rastafarians had no music, it seemed natural for the Rastafarians to adopt Burru music, while welcoming slaves as new converts into their religion.
Autumn Equinox (Pagan festival) takes places on 23rd September
Autumn Equinox (also known as Mabon or Harvest Home) is celebrated when day and night are of equal duration before the descent into increasing darkness and is the final festival of the season of harvest.
In nature, the activity of the summer months slows down to the hibernation for the winter. For many Pagans, now is time to reflect on the past season.
It is also a time to recognise that the balance of the year has changed, the wheel has turned and summer is now over.
Astrologers will recognise this as the date the sun enters the sign of Libra - the Scales of Balance.
This is one of the least celebrated of the Pagan festivals although a harvest festival may be held to thank the Goddess for giving enough food to last the winter.
Harvest Festival takes places between 25th and 27th September 2011
Harvest Festival is a traditional British celebration originating in pagan times, now celebrated in churches and schools throughout the country on a Sunday near the Harvest Moon - usually towards the end of September and sometimes in October.
Some activity ideas:
Making a harvest basket: http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/harvest_basket.htm
Making an ear of corn collage http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/sweetcorn_collage.htm
Why not ask children and their parents to donate food items to those less fortunate than themselves? Find a local charity or cause that would benefit from such donations in your area.
Navaratri is a Hindu festival which takes place from Wednesday 28th September 2011
Navaratri (nine nights) is one of the greatest Hindu festivals. It symbolises the triumph of good over evil. Navaratri takes place at the beginning of October around harvest time and, as the name implies, this festival is celebrated for nine days. Navaratri is also known as Durga Puja.
During this period, Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati are worshipped as three different manifestations of Shakti, or cosmic energy.
Durga, the Mother Goddess
The festival is dedicated to Durga, the mother goddess who also represents power. Durga annihilated the demon Mahishasura after a relentless battle lasting nine days and nights.
The motherhood of God
Navaratri is a festival in which God is adored as Mother. It is said that Shiva gave permission to Durga to see her mother for nine days in the year and this festival also remembers this visit. Families make an attempt to return home on these days, and leave on the tenth.
To celebrate a good harvest and to propitiate the nine planets, women also plant nine different kinds of food grain seeds in small containers during these nine days and then offer the young saplings to the goddess.
During Navaratri, some devotees of Durga observe a fast and prayers are offered for the protection of health and property. A period of introspection and purification, Navaratri is traditionally an auspicious time for starting new ventures.
To find out more about the celebrations that take place visit this link http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/holydays/navaratri.shtml
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